From a marketing standpoint, incorporating ‘cookies’ into a website offers numerous benefits. These small pieces of code stored in users’ browsers can provide valuable insights for companies, ranging from understanding surfing habits to storing online shopping carts and even increasing the cost of airline flights upon subsequent visits.
At the most fundamental level, analytics cookies, commonly used with Google Analytics, offer businesses and their marketing teams insights into visitor behavior, including who visited, what they clicked on, and how they found the website.
However, some cookie usage can infringe on website visitors’ privacy, leading to the introduction of GDPR regulations in Europe and their implementation in the UK. These regulations require website owners to inform users about the cookies used and provide an option to opt out of certain cookie usage. While this approach seems empowering, the pop-ups that facilitate it can become frustrating, prompting users to quickly dismiss them.
GDPR regulations emphasize the importance of website owners respecting visitors’ privacy, as website visitors deserve to have their time and attention valued.
As we delved deeper into the complexities of cookie usage, we had a pivotal moment. Why not simply eliminate all cookies from our website and adopt a cookie-free policy?
As an Ethical Company, this idea resonated with us as it would mean safeguarding customer data and eliminating the need to annoy visitors with intrusive pop-up messages. However, we would also lose valuable marketing statistics on our visitors.
While the data potentially provided by cookies could be useful, we decided that the primary objectives of our website did not necessitate their use. Therefore, we made the conscious choice to go cookie-free.
This seemingly insignificant decision reflects our commitment to ethical practices and our responsibility to make informed choices at every turn. Our cookie policy serves as a testament to this commitment.
If you would like to get an insight into the cookies used on any particular webpage, take a look at the Cookie Metrix website from Squeeze Mind.
For two decades David has been the owner and director of several marketing and distribution companies. During this time he has learned the indisputable benefits of looking after customers, colleagues, workers, suppliers and the local community, treating them all as respected stakeholders in a common project. Recently he consolidated his personal beliefs and business ethics by founding the Natural Intimacy brand and developing it as an Ethical Company.
